Since I’m a Time-Limited Princess Who Has No Tomorrow - Chapter 103

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 103
‘Why are there seriously wounded soldiers coming out of there!’
The subjugation of Suryuggyeon itself had proceeded quite smoothly, they said. The commander of the Jagyogapsa leading the operation was an experienced Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin, so he had handled it skillfully.
But those under him had not fared as well. While the Jagyogapsa included quite a few veteran soldiers who could be called career newcomers, there were also inexperienced recruits who had been confined to training grounds, honing only their techniques without real combat experience. Those fools had bungled the operation and ended up seriously wounded. Among them, the most severe cases required amputation and immediate retirement, they said.
‘For the Jagyogapsa as a whole, it’s a success. In their first subjugation, they eliminated a demon that had lurked in the Palace for ages without a single casualty.’
It was unfortunate that they hadn’t captured it alive, but the subjugation process had clearly demonstrated that Suryuggyeon was a stronger demon than expected, so there were no major issues.
‘The problem is that seriously wounded soldiers requiring immediate retirement have already appeared.’
Few Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin came without knowing that being a Jagyogapsa was dangerous work that could cost them their lives. They knew far more about the Satgat War than ordinary citizens did. So even if crippled soldiers had emerged, the Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin would actually be reassured that there were no deaths in this subjugation. In fact, I heard that the number of volunteers had increased.
‘In the end, the real problem from this incident is people like the former Right Prime Minister.’
Ordinary adults who hoped their children wouldn’t live such a dangerous life as a Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin, fearing they might die or be injured. The current King and Queen were prime examples.
‘The plan to enter Seongsul Academy has hit a snag!’
I had anticipated strong opposition and was planning to persuade them step by step. But because someone became crippled in the Jagyogapsa’s first subjugation, the King and Queen had become even more stubborn.
The King spoke with a grave expression.
“Looking at Seongsul Academy’s curriculum, there are quite a few procedures involving actual subjugation experience.”
Later I’d need to catch Doo-eok-sini together, so of course I needed to build real combat experience!
“It’s far too dangerous. I cannot permit this.”
“But Your Majesty, our enrollment at Seongsul Academy carries great significance as a symbol that we will not sacrifice the Gwae-ryeok-nan-sin….”
“That symbol need not be you, need it? I absolutely cannot permit such dangerous work.”
The King remained immovable, closing his ears to further argument.
“You could be severely injured. If the Crown Prince or Crown Princess came to such harm, this mother could not bear it.”
The Queen opposed with a pale face. While she understood the reasoning itself, her worry prevented her from agreeing, leaving no way to persuade her.
‘If only the Jagyogapsa hadn’t been injured… why did they have to get injured over that prepared operation!’
I had to obtain permission to enroll before Seongsul Academy’s opening next spring.
While I fretted, the investigation and cleanup regarding the Chief State Councillor’s actions had largely concluded. I sent word through An-si to Xiao-hua in Heaven that we had caught the one who threw a curse at her, and through Seok-ran, I also informed Seol Deung-hwa, who was with Seok-juk, of the revenge.
Seol Deung-hwa seemed frantically busy traveling throughout the Pyeong Empire, purchasing enslaved members of the Xue Tribe to free or rescue them.
‘Once that work is finished and she returns, I should arrange for her to meet Xiao-hua. By then, Xiao-hua should have received some training as a celestial maiden.’
I heard that Xiao-hua was still overwhelmed just adapting to the Heavenly Realm. Still, since Chief Celestial Maiden Hyang-dan was directly overseeing her and she was apparently enjoying herself, my worries eased somewhat.
‘I’ve also received divine artifacts from the Straw God in Heaven.’
I hadn’t yet told my parents about my plan to catch Doo-eok-sini and create Straw Gods at that level. Instead, I made the excuse that since I had learned to handle divine power in a human body through possession, I wanted to practice dividing divine power into divine artifacts.
‘The divine artifacts I received this way numbered seven.’
A seal, a mirror, a fan, a gourd, a scepter, a bow, and a sword.
I was actually practicing dividing divine power into these artifacts in my spare time, and I had managed to separate the ‘healing’ divine power into the gourd artifact. But as time passed, it gradually returned to me.
‘Now I have to periodically replenish it to maintain it. Would it help if I gave this artifact an owner?’
Later, if the owner of that artifact became my subordinate deity, the divine power would be completely separated from me, wouldn’t it?
‘I should continue trying with the other artifacts. But what concepts should I imbue in the others…?’
In any case, while everything else proceeded smoothly, time passed with only the enrollment matter stalling, and October arrived.
* * *
Doo-eok-sini lay sprawled across a large bed, his long white hair spread like a spider’s web in all directions.
“Young-no.”
“Yes.”
“Still no word?”
It was an abrupt question with much left unsaid, but Young-no, standing at the entrance, understood immediately and answered.
“It appears communications have been cut off again this time.”
“How strange indeed.”
Doo-eok-sini rose slowly to his feet, his loose robes slipping down to expose most of his body, yet he seemed entirely unconcerned.
“I’ve conquered the humans’ empire, yet the land of those Kim Satgat types slips through my fingers—every messenger I send loses contact.”
“….”
“That Xue Tribe concubine too… she was just an ordinary woman, but after visiting that Kim Satgat country, she returned with some strange fox demon in tow… I was certain she died and disposed of her corpse, yet even that vanished. Surely the beasts devoured it by now? Could that really be the case?”
“….”
“Isn’t it? Young-no, doesn’t it strike you as odd? What could possibly exist in that realm that every connection to it spawns such peculiar occurrences?”
“…It is indeed strange. The Ankle-catcher went silent, so I sent demons to investigate, yet they all vanished without a trace. Whether they died en route or disappeared within Yun Kingdom itself….”
Young-no clicked his tongue.
They remained ignorant of the truth.
Seven of the eight phoenix siblings—born between Geum-ryeong, the Jade Emperor’s phoenix, and Hong-ye, the Yama King’s phoenix—took turns guarding the border between Yun Kingdom and Pyeong Kingdom, excluding An-si.
Alarmed by the Ankle-catcher incident, Geum-ryeong had been secretly eliminating the demons Doo-eok-sini sent for months, preventing them from reaching Yun Kingdom. As phoenixes capable of traversing the Three Realms, this was possible, but to avoid suspicion, they disguised themselves as other demons.
“…Seeing how each one vanishes in succession, there may be a powerful demon entrenched at the Yun Kingdom passage. Shall we investigate?”
“Yes, look into it.”
At Young-no’s suggestion, Doo-eok-sini nodded dismissively, then suddenly raised his blood-red eyes wide.
“That’s right, Young-no. I’ve had a splendid idea.”
“Yes.”
“I’m now the complete Emperor of Pyeong Kingdom, am I not? I’ve worked diligently to eliminate all those who harbored suspicions, so there’s nothing to restrain me anymore.”
He chuckled wickedly and kicked at the imperial crown rolling on one side of the bed with his toe. The solemn crown of an emperor tumbled beneath the bed, yet no one in this chamber paid it any mind.
Young-no’s brow furrowed beneath his mask.
“It was I who worked diligently, was it not? You’ve done nothing but indulge yourself day and night.”
“I merely indulged? I’ve been quite busy consuming karma and refining my divine blood.”
Doo-eok-sini curled his lips and smiled wickedly.
“Just recently, karma arrived sweet and rich—it seems our princess must have died again, yes?”
“Consuming karma is well and good, but do some work while you’re at it. Don’t leave everything to me.”
“What irreverent words. The princess’s karma is the finest of delicacies—it must be savored with proper reverence.”
Doo-eok-sini licked his lips and widened his eyes.
“If I consumed the princess directly instead of mere karma scraps, I could ascend to the Heavenly Realm in one fell swoop.”
“You speak of Princess Cheonmyeong, whom the Jade Emperor and Yama King shoulder karma for and protect? Such foolish talk.”
“One can fantasize, can’t one? The princess must be exquisitely beautiful and delicious, yes? I’ve never seen her, so I’m curious. If I ever met her directly… I’d have to eat her slowly, savoring her, lest I choke from consuming her all at once. I’d nibble from her fingertips and toes, bit by bit… and I’d preserve her head, adorned beautifully, as a memento.”
Young-no shook his head in disapproval, yet Doo-eok-sini paid him no mind and continued murmuring with delight.
“The princess who should have died gave me birth instead, and when I was on the verge of death, the princess’s karma saved me. Now that I’ve grown through her, I shall one day kill the princess’s parents and claim their throne—isn’t this destiny between us? We’re even the same age.”
“Enough fantasizing. Complete the command you were about to give. You said you’d had a splendid idea, did you not?”
“Ah, yes.”
Doo-eok-sini shrugged with a deflated expression and spoke.
“I’m the humans’ emperor, after all. Investigate Yun Kingdom’s affairs using human methods, not demon ones. I’ll send an Imperial Envoy.”
“Under what pretext will you send the Imperial Envoy?”
“So the former Emperor sent away a half-Xue Tribe princess to die, and she’s alive there as the Crown Princess? The wicked father is dead and the good older brother has become Emperor, so he should pay his respects to his poor younger sister. He should also let her know that her mother has passed away. Shouldn’t he?”
“…I shall prepare accordingly.”
Young-no bowed deeply. Doo-eok-sini lay back on the bed and waved his hand languidly.
“Then go. I’m hungry—send in a few blood servants.”
“Yes.”
* * *
The 22nd day of the 10th month, Year 14 of Seoguang.
The Gangmu—a regular military training exercise and hunting competition presided over by the King—had begun.
This year’s hunting grounds were designated as the Northeast Hunting Grounds of Wun-seong. I sat inside a tent pitched at the hunting grounds, turning over various items in my hands as I pondered. An-si, who had been yawning in the corner of the tent, suddenly lifted her head and looked toward the entrance.
‘Someone’s coming.’
I hurriedly put away the items, and just then the entrance opened.
“My Lady!”
The Crown Prince entered with a bright smile. My eyes widened.
“This isn’t the martial robe you usually wear.”
“Ah.”
The boy glanced down at his own clothes, looking a bit bashful.
“It’s the formal military uniform worn during military ceremonies. Since it’s my first time wearing it, it feels unfamiliar.”
A deep blue battle robe embroidered with dragons across the shoulders and chest, cinched with a belt, and topped with a formal military cap adorned with peacock feathers. Though similar to the uniforms worn by military officers, on the young Crown Prince it looked less impressive than endearing.
“It suits you very well.”
As I smiled and offered my praise, the Crown Prince averted his gaze slightly and replied.
“Thank you, my Lady.”
The tips of his ears had turned red. Was he embarrassed?
The Crown Prince continued, still looking away.
“Today I received permission not merely to observe, but to actually participate in the hunt.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————